GRAND FINALE! This—my last monthly Coney Island exhibition—is going out with a big bang. Presenting the amazing, gorgeous, evocative visual art of Thomas Sciacca. In his words: “Thomas Sciacca began the series Sideshow Serenade in late 2012. “It was originally proposed and developed with artist Mark Wright, vintage boutique owner Shannon Wolf, and tattoo artist Whispering Danny, … Continue reading →
Tag Archives: amusement parks
January, 2018, Doug Ross
Be amazed by another in my series of great Coney Island artists—Doug Ross—photographer extraordinaire. When I wrote and illustrated The Coney Island Book of the Dead, I had no idea there were this many other artists out there with the same passion for the place as I have. The variety is staggering. I won’t chatter … Continue reading →
Posted in: Changing Gallery
December, 2017, Eric March
Here’s another amazing Coney Island artist! He’s a former Brooklyn resident who was very involved in trying to stop the condo-ization of the amusement area. He now lives in New Haven, CT with is wife and two young children and teaches drawing and painting in New York and New Haven. … Continue reading →
Posted in: Changing Gallery
November, 2017, Marie Roberts
This month you’re in for an unusual treat: a real sideshow banner painter—the incredible Marie Roberts—a true native daughter of Coney Island. Be sure to check out the video about her at the end. From Marie: “My family spoke carney, I ran away from their sideshow traditions to become a painter. Painting sideshow … Continue reading →
Posted in: Changing Gallery
October, 2017, Jim Blythe
I’m proud to present my husband Jim Blythe, back again for his third amazing exhibition. This series consists photographs he took in the 1990’s with real film, some of which are reminiscent of the stunning ones Diane Arbus took of Coney Island in the 1960s. From Jim : What Ginia Bellafante wrote in the … Continue reading →
Posted in: Changing Gallery
September 2017, Johnny Lowe
Here we go—another great Coney Island artist—the amazing Johnny Lowe. He emailed me through this website and when I saw his work, I was just floored. It seems the ghosts are talking to him too. In his own words: “I love Coney Island. I’m not a native, but I have the sand in my … Continue reading →
Posted in: Changing Gallery
July, 2017, AJ Bernstein
World adventurer AJ Bernstein captures the excitement of this summer’s Mermaid Parade in all its exhibitionist glory. -As AJ herself says: “At Burning Man, Left Coast artists get to suffer in the sand, co-opted by the 1%; in Coney Island, the Mermaid Parade celebrates the spirit of pure creative joy.” For more about AJ’s work, … Continue reading →
Posted in: Changing Gallery
June, 2017, Philomena Marano
Please welcome the fabulous Philomena Marano. I don’t think anyone has contributed more to Coney Island signage, design, and murals over the years. And her cut paper paintings are nothing short of amazing. As she puts it “It’s like drawing with an x-acto knife.” I’ve been a great admirer of hers for years. I love the … Continue reading →
Posted in: Changing Gallery
May, 2017, Ilene Isseks
There are so many great Coney Island artists it’s hard to pick one each month. This month I’d like to introduce you to the wonderful paintings of Ilene Isseks. I first saw Ilene’s painting, The Atlantis Bar—a bar I fictionalized in my novel—on one of the We Grew Up in Brighton Beach Facebook pages and … Continue reading →
Posted in: Changing Gallery
